Embraer entered the light jet market in 2005, promising more for less, and the $8.14 million Phenom 300 delivers. It's fast, has long legs and sports a well-equipped, comfortable cabin with an array of options typically found only in airplanes costing millions more. The Phenom 300 was certified late last year.

The people who build airplanes believe better times are coming. So do many analysts, who predict that aircraft sales will gain momentum by the middle of next year. When that happens, manufacturers will be ready because they have continued to fund research and development of new airplanes.

Cessna delivered the first Citation CJ4 (Model 525C) in April after wrapping up a rigorous flight-test program that included 1,000 sorties and more than 1,600 hours in the air since the airplane's first flight in May 2008.

Gulfstream's G650, which the company will start delivering in 2012, will be the world's fastest and longest range business jet. Its tall and wide-bodied cabin-the largest in the company's fleet-will boast the latest in comfort and convenience features.

DETROIT FIGURED THIS OUT a long time ago. Take your basic family sedan, stick a hot motor under the hood and badge it with sporty-sounding initials like RT or SS and voilà: You sell more cars at higher prices.

A very good airplane is about to get better. The wide-cabin Falcon 900 trijet combines unequaled performance and versatility with a design that has remained popular since deliveries began in 1986. More than 400 are in service.

Cut two feet off the Learjet 45's fuselage, throw out two passenger seats, drain 100 gallons of fuel and this is what you get: a $9.46 million bullet that is sexy, leggy and fast. It's called the Learjet 40XR.